Falcons' baseball squad improves to 13-3

Tue, 10/03/2017 - 1:16pmadmin

Sixth-ranked Dora improves its record to 13-3 on the year with a 6-3 conference win over Bakersfield. "We hit the ball hard all night but everything we hit was right at them," said coach Rick Luna. "We knew if we kept having good at bats the ball would eventually start falling our way." Gavin Haney, Roman Parker and Cameron Smith all led the Falcons with two hits each. Hayden Hunter started on the hill and threw good for four innings, and then Kamryn Johnson came in and closed the game. "We still have room to improve, but overall the guys are playing pretty good right now. We just have to continue to make the routine plays and have quality at bats," Luna said.

Last week in the Southern Missouri Invitational (also called the Wooden Bat Tournament) held at Dora, the Falcons won their first-round game against Willow Springs 6-0. Kamryn Johnson threw a no-hitter, striking out eight batters. "Kamryn was hitting his spots with his fastball and had great command of his curve," Luna said. Gavin Haney and Marcus Hoover led the hitting attack with two hits each. Kamryn Johnson, Roman Parker and Treysen Hambelton all added a hit each.

In the semifinals, Dora ran up against district rival Hartville Eagles. "We had beaten them early in the year 14-4 but knew that Hartville would be ready to play," said Luna.

"We struggled at the plate, only getting two hits off of the same pitcher we scored 14 on early in the year. We were putting the ball in play but just couldn’t buy a hit. Hartville beat us 3-0."

In the third place game Dora was matched up against Seymour. The Falcons' bats finally came alive scoring three runs on eight hits on their way to a 3-1 victory. Neelyville won first and Hartville second in the tournament.

"We would like to thank everyone who helped make the tournament possible," Luna said.

Upcoming games

Friday: Thayer at Dora, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: Charleston vs Dora at West Plains 9 a.m.

Sunday: Once again the Falcons will be making a trip to Springfield to play Plato at Hammonds Field immediately following the Springfield Cardinals game.

Tickets are $10 and are still available in the office at Dora School or from one of the baseball players.

Gainesville senior Annie Noah on Dec. 8 signed a letter of intent to play basketball for College of the Ozarks. Seated, from left: Annie’s mother Joyce Noah, Annie, and her father, Dan Noah. Back: College of the Ozarks Lady Bobcats head basketball coach Becky Vest and Gainesville High School head basketball coach Morris Jenkins. Photo by Karla Smith.